Analysis of 650,000 people with an average age of 61 found that the most fit were 33 per cent less likely to develop dementia!
The study author Dr. Edward Zamrini from Washington VA Medical Centre in the US said it was very promising to see how case rates decrease with increased fitness levels as there are currently no adequate treatments for Alzheimers.
Checking pulses may be a quick and easy way to identify the risk of dementia, Scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden have found. Their study published in the medical journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia, analysed data on 2,147 people aged 60 and over who were tracked for up to 12 years.
They found that participants with a resting heart rate of 80 beats per minute or more were 55 per cent more likely to develop dementia than those with a heart rate of 60 to 69. They were also more likely to see a quicker decline in memory and cognitive skills. Researchers say imbalanced nerve activity or stiffened arteries may explain the link between heart rate and dementia. Lead researcher Dr. Yume Imahori recommended regular exercise and more physical activity to lower the risk of dementia.